The public meetings are part of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s review of its existing management policy for Puget Sound Dungeness crab.

During the meetings, WDFW staff will explain current management objectives of recreational and commercial crab fisheries in Puget Sound along with three potential alternatives for recreational fishing seasons beginning in 2011.

In June, the commission selected the three alternatives for further review after receiving input from recreational crabbers and WDFW’s commercial and recreational crab fishery advisory groups.

“These four upcoming meetings are a great opportunity for people to provide input on the potential changes to the Puget Sound crabbing seasons currently being considered by the commission,” said Rich Childers, shellfish policy lead for the department.

In addition to the public meetings, the commission – a nine-member citizen panel that sets policy for WDFW – is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the three alternatives during its August 6-7 meeting in Olympia.